The word came out a little too fast, a little too full, like it had been waiting at the edge of him for longer than he realized. Julian let out a breath that almost turned into a laugh, shaking his head slightly as if he needed a second to catch up with his own happiness.
"I would love that. I really would." His grip on her tightened, not enough to hurt, just enough to hold on. To make sure this wasn't something that would slip through his fingers.
"But…"
The word softened the moment, not breaking it, just reshaping it. "Our mothers would kill us."
A quiet, breathless laugh escaped him, warmer now, threaded with disbelief and something dangerously close to joy.
"Married in secret? No ceremony? No warning?" He exhaled, his eyes flickering over her face like he was memorizing every inch of it all over again. "I don't want to hide you, Amara."
His voice lowered, not quieter, but deeper. Steadier.
"I want the world to know." The night seemed to lean in closer around them.
